For 57 years now, the coming of Labor Day weekend has been cause for Sausalito residents to celebrate: It marks the beginning of the Sausalito Art Festival. With the San Francisco skyline glittering in the distance, what better background for artists to showcase their collections than on the shimmering Sausalito waterfront?

The creme de la creme in local, American and international artists bring their combined perspectives and a repertoire of more than 20,000 original works of art--running the gamut of sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, paintings, woodwork, mixed media and photography--for an unparalleled collection that can only be viewed once a year.

Meet the artists, nosh on hors d'oeuvres, sip the bubbly and peruse some world-class art in this four-day affair. (If you have the financial backing, you might even be able to take some of your favorite works home with you). The preview party begins at 6pm on Sept. 4, and the festival will run from 9am to 6pm on Sept. 5 and 6, 9am to 5pm on Sept. 7.